Are Temporary License Plates Subject to Traffic Restrictions?
2 Answers
Temporary license plates are subject to the same traffic restrictions as regular license plates. New vehicles using temporary plates must not exceed 15 days, and owners should promptly apply for regular plates from the vehicle management authority. If driven without proper plates, the vehicle may be impounded and penalized by traffic authorities. Additional Information: Eligibility and Scope for Temporary Plates: Temporary plates have time and area limitations. You may apply for temporary plates at your local DMV if: 1. Driving a newly purchased vehicle from the purchase location to your home area; 2. When transferring vehicle registration after surrendering regular plates; 3. When an unregistered local vehicle needs temporary plates for outbound modifications; 4. For temporary testing of vehicles without fixed registration.
When I first bought the car, I had a temporary license plate and drove around the big city for a few days without any restrictions. Temporary plates are provisional documents, unlike regular plates with fixed ending numbers, and the restriction policies target those ending digits. For example, in Beijing or Shanghai, I drove my car with a temporary plate in and out of the ring roads without being photographed or stopped, but I had to properly display the temporary plate label on the front windshield. Remember, temporary plates have a short validity period, usually 15 to 30 days, and once expired, the car must not be driven. Rules vary slightly by city—some roads in Guangzhou may check, but overall, temporary plates offer more flexibility. Before driving, it’s best to check the local traffic app or official website to avoid unexpected fines. While convenient for temporary use, it’s important to quickly apply for a regular plate to avoid last-minute hassles.
